Recently in inDocs on the Web Category

I first got to know Tim Brookes’ writing through his advert at the social media site LinkedIn. Tim mentioned that he had a book for sale called Thirty Percent Chance of Enlightenment and he offered a sample of the work to group members. It being a travel book - and one about India at that - I longed to be able to buy it, but alas, my funds at the time did not allow me to do so. I contacted Tim and said I had enjoyed the sample and dearly wanted to read the rest, but I had to “wish list” the book for a future happy date. Tim graciously said I could read the whole text for free, and sent it accordingly.

I read the book with great pleasure. I so appreciated Tim’s wit and the fascinating climate-related stories, such as the tale of rainmaker Charles Hatfield and activity at Mount Washington observatory, home of the world’s worst weather. The regions where Tim Brookes traveled - Kerala, for example - were just the areas I would have wanted to visit if I ever had a chance to explore India myself, so I was doubly intrigued. When I was through reading the text I was so grateful that I contacted Tim and offered to index the book as a way of showing my appreciation for his freely giving it to me.

At the time I began to index the book my mother-in-law began her process of dying, so it was at times difficult to concentrate, but Tim was extremely understanding about delays. Additionally, I was at the very end of my mentoring course with the renowned indexing instructor Kari Kells. When I showed her the finished index she was pretty much blown away - she said that the keywords chosen made her want to buy multiple copies, as the indexing terms made it seem like the text held tremendous promise, not to mention entertainment value!

I appreciated having Tim’s index to add to my marketing portfolio, and as the months passed I also enjoyed subscribing to his blogs. I became a Brookes evangelist and posted tweets and Facebook mentions whenever one of Tim’s new blog posts came out.

Tim contacted me at the beginning of November and asked if I minded if he mentioned me in one of those blog posts - like I would say no? Imagine my shock and delight when I read, “What About the Worthy Indexer?” where he praises the art of indexing and excerpts some of my key words! I was speechless, to say the least.

I knew that such appreciation for indexing would boost the spirits of indexing colleagues, so I sent a link to the review to every one of my indexing contacts. The next day, my email box was completely flooded with congratulations - and most importantly, new fans of Tim Brookes. Many indexers went on to re-post the article or to comment on it in their own blogs. Tim definitely caused a sensation and gave the indexing world a boost.

Influential members of the American Society for Indexing became aware of the now famous blogpost, and inquired about the possibility of having a member interview Tim for a future edition of Keywords. Indexer Chuck Ashton of Vermont was chosen and spent a lovely day doing the interview and visiting Champlain College, where Tim heads the Champlain Publishing Initiative.

I very much look forward to Tim’s future books and hope to get the chance to work with him again - it would be my great pleasure!

The Indexer

The Indexer is an international journal of indexing that comes out four times a year and addresses issues pertinent to back-of-the-book and online indexing. Topics include reviews of indexing software, articles on the history of indexing, tips on creating indexing websites, references to training and courses, and much more.

A regular section called "Around the World" provides a roundup of indexing happenings and events. The latest "Around the World" was edited by eminent Australian indexer, Glenda Browne, with the topic "How indexers use social media in their indexing careers".

Also,

Tim Brookes: Author of "Thirty Percent Chance Of Enlightenment" (Buy it)

Tim Brookes, musician, world traveler, and professor at Champlain College in Vermont, is the author of numerous books including the cult classic, "Hell of a Place to Lose a Cow." He has been a contributor to National Public Radio for years and reprints some of his NPR pieces every Sunday on his website at www.timbrookesinc.com.

Tim's latest book is "Thirty Percent Chance of Enlightenment" -- published in the fall of 2009 through the Champlain College Publishing Initiative. Publishing in this manner allowed his students to learn about the publishing of a manuscript from
A—Z.

When a sample of the text was offered to Linked-In group members, I expressed avid interest. I was then graciously provided a PDF of the whole megillah. Having enjoyed myself so thoroughly reading the book and wanting to thank Tim for the opportunity (and for being such a fabulous writer!), I offered to index it for him.

Tim will be including my index in the next edition of his book. After reviewing the index, he wrote : "I'm touched, almost overwhelmed. This is a remarkable document, and it's just stunning that anyone should pay such close attention to my story and my work. I can't thank you enough."

Oh, p'shaw - it was a pleasure!

Review on Amazon.com:

Travel writer Tim Brookes began his assignment with National Geographic magazine intending to enlighten himself and his readers about weather forecasting in South India. Finding himself barred from the official national weather stations, Brookes was forced to change his plans. With the help of Faith (a spiritual tour guide) he decided to save the assignment by continuing his research in a more informal manner, touring the land in order to interview regular citizens about their experiences with the monsoon.

On his road (and canal) trip through Southern India, Brookes not only got the local scoop about the monsoon but he also gained unexpected enlightenment about the perils of traveling in an auto-rickshaw, combatting relentless mosquitoes with grace, and relying on the game of cricket as a grounding tool.

Readers of "Thirty Percent" also gain unexpected enlightenment, through learning the history of weather, getting insight into how different countries deal with forecasting (newsflash - not every country is as weather-obsessed as the US) and through acquiring a deeper respect for the role of water in all our lives.

The text is so enjoyable not only because it is witty in that British-humor manner and not just because Brookes has such a warm style, but because it is written in such an absorbing way that readers feel like they're right there with the author, experiencing the events as a companion. Readers share Brooke's frustration and disappointment with the India Meteorological Department, the fear of imminent nuclear war between India and Pakistan, and delight in discovering exotic ways to bring about rain, such as the marriage of donkeys and plowing fields in the nude.

Read "Thirty Percent Chance of Enlightenment" and meet the combat weathermen; wonder at the girl who married a banana tree; and follow the recipe provided to make your own version of the Indian delicacy known as "payasam." Don't read the book too quickly, though. Savor it, take your time, and the journey will affect your dreams. And, if the book intrigues you enough to want to travel in Tim Brooke's footsteps, do contact Windows on the World Travel - Faith turns out to be as wonderful as she is portrayed.